This is page numbers 4891 – 4922 of the Hansard for the 17th Assembly, 5th Session. The original version can be accessed on the Legislative Assembly's website or by contacting the Legislative Assembly Library. The word of the day was health.

Topics

Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We have some of the lowest gas taxes in the country and we, as well, don’t charge for non-motive fuel. Thank you.

Robert Bouchard

Robert Bouchard Hay River North

Thank you. I’m just wondering: is that percentage, or that amount, has it gone up over the last few years, or has it been maintaining? Thank you.

Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

The tax rate has not gone up. Consumption has tended to increase over time. So the taxes have gone up, but the tax rates haven’t gone up since the ‘90s. Thank you.

Robert Bouchard

Robert Bouchard Hay River North

I’m looking to see if it’s a flat rate or percentage, the amount that we charge, and have we considered changing that amount at all.

Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

We haven’t touched the price of fuel, motive or non-motive. We haven’t touched those for years, as I’ve indicated. The concern is the impact on the cost of living where we already have the highest cost of living and highest cost of goods and services in many cases in the country.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Final, short supplementary, Mr. Bouchard.

Robert Bouchard

Robert Bouchard Hay River North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. How much money do we collect each year in gas taxes?

Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

I don’t have that specific number, it would vary by year, but I will get that information for the Member. Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Time for question period has expired. Item 8, written questions. Item 9, returns to written questions. Item 10, replies to opening address. Item 11, petitions. Item 12, reports of standing and special committees. Item 13, reports of committees on the review of bills. Item 14, tabling of documents. Mr. Ramsay.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

HON. DAVID RAMSAY: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to table to following document, entitled “Northwest Territories Business Development and Investment Corporation ‘13-14 Annual Report” and “Northwest Territories Business Development and Investment Corporation ‘14-15 Corporate Plan.” Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. Mr. Miltenberger.

Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following two documents, entitled “2013-2014 60th Annual Report, Northwest

Territories Liquor Licensing Board and Liquor Enforcement” and “2013-2014 60th Annual Report,

Northwest Territories Liquor Commission.” Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Mr. Bromley.

Bob Bromley

Bob Bromley Weledeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to table three instruments of the voice of the people. The first one is the Dene Leadership Meeting Motion No. 11/12-008 from their meeting on October 25-27, 2011, in Fort Smith. It’s on hydraulic fracturing. It calls for a moratorium on hydraulic fracturing.

I’d also like to table Gwich’in Tribal Council 31st General Assembly Resolution No. 006:2014 AGA, entitled “Anti-Fracking,” from August 19th to 21st of

this year.

I’d also like to table, finally, the Sahtu Secretariat Incorporated 2014 Annual General Meeting Resolution No. 1 on fracking, which calls for a comprehensive review, study and consideration of the risks and benefits of hydraulic fracturing in the Sahtu Settlement Area. Mahsi.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Bromley. Colleagues, pursuant to Section 40.23(2) of the Public Service Act, I wish to table the Annual Report of the Equal Pay Commissioner for the Northwest Territories for the period of July 1, 2013, to June 30, 2014. Thank you.

Item 15, notices of motion. Mr. Bromley.

Bob Bromley

Bob Bromley Weledeh

I give notice that on Monday, October 27, 2014, I will move the following motion: Now therefore I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Hay River South, that the government develop a long-term action plan for the provision of

the necessary long-term care beds, indicating the steps they will take in the areas of resources, facilities and timing to meet this urgent need for facilities for seniors, including possible partnerships to serve those seniors who have some financial independence, in both large and small communities;

And further, that the government provide Avens Society with the assurance of support needed to enable construction of their proposed new 60-bed territorial facility and renovation of existing facilities to begin next spring;

And furthermore, that the government respond to this motion within 120 days. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Bromley. Item 16, notices of motion for first reading of bills. Item 17, motions. Item 18, first reading of bills. Item 19, second reading of bills. Item 20, consideration in Committee of the Whole of bills and other matters: Bill 25, An Act to Amend the Education Act; Bill 27, Miscellaneous Statute Law Amendment Act, 2014; Bill 29, Human Tissue Donation Act; Bill 30, An Act to Amend the Public Service Act; Bill 32, An Act to Amend the Pharmacy Act; Committee Report 7-17(5), Report on the Development of the Economic Opportunities and Mineral Development Strategies; and Tabled Document 115-17(5), Northwest Territories Capital Estimates 2015-2016, with Mr. Dolynny in the chair.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair Daryl Dolynny

I’d like to call Committee of the Whole to order. What is the wish of committee? Ms. Bisaro.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Wendy Bisaro

Wendy Bisaro Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Chair. We wish to continue consideration of Tabled Document 115-17(5), Northwest Territories Capital Estimates 2015-2016, with the Department of Health and Social Services.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair Daryl Dolynny

Thank you, Ms. Bisaro. Does committee agree?

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair Daryl Dolynny

Okay. Committee, we’ll resume after a short break.

---SHORT RECESS

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair Daryl Dolynny

Welcome back, committee. I’d like to call Committee of the Whole to order. With that, we’ll continue, as indicated by Ms. Bisaro, with Tabled Document 115-17(5), Capital Estimates 2015-2016. We are going to start our proceedings with Health and Social Services on page 31. With that, we’ll turn it over to the Minister of Health and Social Services and ask if he has any witnesses. Thank you.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Glen Abernethy

Glen Abernethy Great Slave

I do, Mr. Chair.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair Daryl Dolynny

Thank you, Minister Abernethy. Does committee agree?